Grand Rapids Community College understands the effect of energy consumption on both the environment and the budget. With the cost of energy rising and environmental concerns growing, the college is proactively limiting energy consumption whenever and wherever possible.
Energy Conservation Program
The energy conservation program is designed to reduce utility energy consumption primarily when buildings are unoccupied. However, it also seeks to make students, faculty and staff more conscientious with conservation procedures for thermostats, lighting, computers and other resource-consuming systems. By all of us working together, GRCC can become a model of thoughtful stewardship, not only of natural resources and the environment, but also taxpayer and tuition dollars.
Procedures
GRCC has adopted procedures to assist in achieving its energy management goals. It is essential that the procedures be observed to promote the conservation of energy. The success of this program requires the participation of all staff, students and faculty. The simplest energy conservation measures could save millions of dollars in energy costs annually. View energy conservation procedures and refer to our Policies webpage for information on GRCC's Energy Policy.
Award for Energy Stewardship
GRCC was presented with the Award for Energy Stewardship in September 2009, and again in July of 2011. The award is environmentally-focused and seeks to recognize the impact the college's energy program is having on natural resources. GRCC is an Energy Star Partner, and an EPA Green Power Partner. GRCC was named the 2011 Green Generation Customer of the Year by Consumers Energy. GRCC currently maintains approximately 13% green power purchases from Consumer Energy.
Business Clean Energy Program
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) participates in Consumers Energy’s “Business Clean Energy Program”, demonstrating GRCC’s commitment to sustainability and the reduction of energy consumption on campus. Plaques signifying the partnership will soon be displayed in different locations around campus. Please look for them when you are out and about! GRCC’s clean energy spend equates to the overall power needed to operate the Applied Technology Center!
According to Tyler Kaines, GRCC’s Energy Project Manager, In calendar year 2023, GRCC reduced its overall kilowatt hours (kWH) usage on main campus by 3 percent, or 210,034 kWH, an amount that could power the average 2000 square-foot home for 19 years!
Tyler (and GRCC) works with Consumers Energy and its affiliates in other ways too, including performing building system audits, followed by retro-commissioning as suggested by the audits. This is another way GRCC achieves energy savings. Recently, at Tassell MTEC, original halogen light fixtures were entirely replaced with LED fixtures, in the high-bay training labs. This will reduce electricity usage significantly and lower operational costs.
While one of the biggest returns on energy savings remains changes in behavior (turn out the lights, take the stairs), huge strides can be made when adapting older, less efficient buildings. The result? A win-win-win for the college, the environment, and the grid we share!
